electricalforum.nz

AlecK

Correct this is a (minor) anomaly in 2022 edition. Clause 2.5.2 is likely to be amended to set this requirement for supply leads Largely because too many people can't follow through underlying requirements, instead needing to be specifically told things they should already know. Heavy duty sheathing...

AlecK

I believe the intent is clear. There must be double insulation (or equivalent)between any conductor and any ECP. So yes your option A complies - but using DI singles would be very uncommon. So would your option B, because the enclosure itself provides the 2nd level of insulation. This requirement re...

AlecK

There's a difference between a requirement to earth exposed conductive parts (eg pV modules), and having to earth the "DC system". Earthing a DC system is same as earthing an AC system ie one of the live (= current-carrying) conductors is earthed, giving the entire system an earth reference. So no, ...

AlecK

Yes this is maintenance of an installation, so ESR 59(3) applies -giving you 3 pathways to compliance
including restoring to original condition

AlecK

I understand your reluctance to be involved in this; and I would be very cautious. The whole system of PL classes and Limits of Work (LoW) for each class is in transition; under a Gazette Notice published by EWRB on 1 Sept 2023. as a formal Notice in the NZ Gazette, this has the force of law. And th...

AlecK

I use 150 W for a twin 5' batten, being 2 x 65W for the lamps and the rest for the ballasts. Which is 10 W each, but just a rule-of-thumb; to be more accurate you'd need to do testing. The smaller ballasts will be pretty much the same; as the ballast is almost all inductance, acting as choke. So bal...

AlecK

NZ generally regards the lead as being part of the caravan Oz doesn't. The Standard puts the lead in a separate Section, reinforcing the Oz viewpoint that it's separate. In 2022 edition there's a separate WoEF requirement for all parts of a supply lead to be IP 34. Generally speaking a socket / conn...

AlecK

Before trying to answer your questions; just a reminder that a WoEF check does not require compliance with the entire Standard. As an import, it must first pass a Part 1(if 3000"assessment (for basic electrical safety) and then the WoEF checklist in App C of 3001. 1 inlet IP rating 3.2.2(ii) applies...

AlecK

Camping stove? (gas)

AlecK

Still plenty of older motels with cooker / water-heater selection switch
Your load-shedder is just an automatic version

AlecK

Key thing is that this is not a required device, ie not for protection if conductors against overcurrent. As such it's entirely up top you what s0rt of device you use. The load-shedder would not conform to the overcurrent protection requirements of "3000"; but will provide the more limited functiona...

AlecK

There is more than one way to set up multiple occupancies. They can each be just a section of a single installation. Or they can each be a separate installation. In which case there will almost certainly be a section of "private works", owned by the landlord, between the (typically) single connectio...

AlecK · Re: PV arrays over 600VDC defined in "3000"; 1.4.14 in cited edition

defined in "3000"; 1.4.14 in cited edition

AlecK

Not 1 per building; 1 per installation . Because - as in above example - we can have multiple installations within a structure. That's for new work; legacy installations can have multiple N-E links, and depending on age some may not have an MEC to an electrode. Those would be "linked busbar switchbo...

AlecK

(c) is one of 4 exceptions to the general definition of PoS. Both (b) & (c) delend on the concept of "exclusive fittings", which are defined as fittings that are used for supply to only one property. So if you have a block of shops / flats or whatever, where each occupier has their own installation,...

AlecK

I'll tackle those questions in reverse order; but first , a clarification (apologies if this come across as teaching to suck eggs, but we need to atrt at the beginning). Correct that the terms "bonding" and earthing" are often used indiscriminately. Correct that generally "bonding" is short for "equ...

AlecK

Just on the issue of access to main switch, correct that Exception does not apply. For the Exception to apply, have to meet all three of the conditions ; and this doesn't meet either (i) o (which is defined 1.4.2)r (ii). The purpose of Main switches is linked to the way the term is defined; which ta...

AlecK

Every installation must be connected to mass of earth via "an earth electrode" [5.3.6.1]. Nothing prohibits multiple electrodes. Nor does anything specifically prohibit one electrode being shared between multiple installations. The electrode must conform to 5.3.6.2; but just as they can be longer / ...

AlecK

Q: are the earth grid cables (or the strip type electrode or bare underground ring earth for bonding or earthing) a CAT B wiring system and need to have additional mechanical protection as per 3.11.4.3? A: An installation's earth electrode is not a "wiring system", even when it is formed of bare cop...

AlecK

Good question.
The arrangement meets the definition of "main earthing system" in ESRs; so yes installing it is high-risk PEW and so requires inspection.

AlecK

Yes 2.5(g) sets a default of only supplying installation (or part) from genset via MSB; but immediately allows an Exception provided 2 conditions are met. As published (using "and"), both conditions must be met - making it completely pointless. Was supposed to be "or" - but no-one (including me) spo...

AlecK

It's still switching supply to load supplied from that DB between 2 sources; one being "normal supply" and the other being an "alternative supply". Physical location of the source selection device makes no difference to how the requirements apply, but will affect the detail of how you comply with th...

AlecK

There is no rule prohibiting connection of an alternative supply at a DB, to supply all / part of that DB's load. It is well-established practice for large installations with a centralised alternative supply to distribute that supply via (essential power" submains to those DBs that supply essential ...

AlecK

Given the dimensions, I reckon this thing is specifically intended for use with a spa pool- and is being sold as such. There's nothing else most peaople would want to fit roof & lights over, and louvres around. But likely not designed specifically around our NZ Zones. Or European Zones, which ours a...

AlecK

I agree the lights and the lead of this unit are in Z 1. So you should not install them. However the Wiring Rules apply only to the electrical installation; not to appliances plugged into it. What people do later is up them, and all we can do is advise. It's acceptable to install a GPO outside Z1 if...

AlecK

Item (v) arises only if taking option (B) of item (iv). Option B is that supply to the outbuilding DB is via one or more other DB that are in other outbuildings, and not direct from MSB. Noting that there is no valid option of supply via DBs in main building, only via DBs in other outbuildings. Keep...

AlecK

Whether it should be classed as low risk PEW is a very different question from whether it is classed as low risk PEW.
Exactly the same as for a mains entry box.

AlecK

On my opinion it's maintenance / repair / replacement;
not installation work/
No different from replacing a fitting.
Or a length of mains cable; which is also high risk when installing, but low risk when maintaining

AlecK

Why "2000" edition? this clause was never mandatory. The wording "open cooking surface" was added in A3, (2003), including examples of what is intended to be covered, as well as the not explaining examples not included. "open cooking surface" refers to the user's access to the hot bits. It's not abo...

AlecK

basically all electrical equipment is either a fitting or a collection / assembly of fittings. The 3 main types of such assemblies are "works" , "electrical installations", "appliances". All defined in Act as mutually exclusive. Demarcation between works & installation is 'point of supply"; generall...

AlecK

4836 does not deal on electrical worker vs non-electrical worker. It deals with managing the risks of work - whether that's electrical work or anything else - either in or near LV /ELV installations & equipment. And while it deals in competence generally; it doesn't get into specific qualifications ...

AlecK

Short answer: this config is non-compliant If installing PEN submain i.a.w. 5.5.3.1 (b), item (iv) says the submain can come either(A) from MSB, or (B) via intermediate DB(s) . If using (B), then (v) kicks in, and integrity of the PEN must not depend on any connections to terminals in the intermedia...

AlecK

The key is in the definitions in "3000": 1.4.52 Electrical installation 1.4.53 ditto domestic 1.4.54 ditto multiple 1.5.55 ditto residential ICPs are a management tool, but they do not in any way define whether this is one installation or two. Nor does the metering arrangement. Assuming it's correct...

AlecK

1 Yes, an "MEN switchboard as defined in ESR 4 must be connected to an earth electrode. 2 3000 doers not permit more than 1 MEN swbd within same installation; except for an outbuilding. so correct can have a freestanding pedestal (as outbuilding), but not a "EV swbd" mounted in / on same building as...

AlecK

A freestanding pedestal type structure would conform to definition of "outbuilding". And in a non-residential installation, - the Guideline requirement to take supply from an MEN swbd would apply; but - the Clause 7.9 prohibition on supply from an outbuilding would not apply. So if arranged with PEN...

AlecK

I suspect I am the source of the answer being quoted here Perfectly possible to have an EV charging station that includes a switchboard. And yes there could be good afr doing so, especially in a commercial environment. In that context; we need to look at what the applicable documents has to say abou...

AlecK

Have had someone ask how to get registered onto the Forum.
And couldn't answer, unless it lies behind the "login" system?

AlecK

Pete is correct; it's not "mains work" so not something we can properly use s reason to issue "fail" RoI ie one that states the high-risk PEW we inspected has not been done "i.a.w the regulations and / or will not be electrically safe when connected. Remembering that it's not a case of refusing to i...

AlecK

You are looking in the right place. Within the def for "installation" there are two options; installations with point of supply and installations without. This example is in the "with PoS" part. Meaning that the installations starts at the PoS... so off to that definition Which depends -, in part, b...

AlecK

True the fact that ESR 75 applies to the owner of the installation, so for construction wiring, that will be the builder; the PAs often just don't get done.
So errors / faults don't get picked up by the assessor

AlecK

Why would it comply with 2021 edition?
ESRs cite 2012 edition +A1 +A2 ; with one further change in the citation.

Nothing to prohibit following a later edition, provided it complies with cited edition.

AlecK

1 Correct such an assembly of fittings is "works", "not an electrical installation" Both terms being defined in Electricity Act, and are mutually exclusive. There is some apparent (but not legal) crossover; as installations can include generation; and generating stations typically include consuming ...

AlecK

I don't think so.
There's a considerable difference in risk between a wall limiting a Zone, and a ceiling limiting a Zone.
Water seldom falls upwards, and splash seldom reaches the ceiling
(even when the ceiling is low enough to replace the default height measurement as limit of Zone).

AlecK

Correct that if there is no provision for external supply, it's not a "connectable installation". So not required to comply with "3001" by ESR 60(1). Can comply, but not required to. Correct that 4509.1 requires an earth electrode - even if the only real function of it is to avoid the unit being blo...

AlecK

Agree with Doug on pretty much all his points. But to me the question isn't really about effectiveness of the electrode; it's more compliance with the requirement. Which is "effective contact with moist soil" - and that is always going to be a subjective rather than an objective assessment. Looking ...

AlecK

Agree it doesn't happen often that anyone bothers to arrange an independent, temporary, supply for testing.. Most times it's easier to wait, and do these tests after initial connection to (grid) supply). Technically that would count as "connection-for-testing"; and - provided all test results are sa...

AlecK

There is NO requirement for any test results to be included on a CoC. The regulatory requirement is that testing - as per "3000" must be done (by someone) prior to connection. Note here's also NO requirement that the person who did PEW must do the testing. Nor issue the CoC. These things must be don...

AlecK

In my opinion concrete cannot be considered a covering that maintains moist soil . Concrete may be slightly porous, but not very. Note it's used to make water tanks, also boats. True they put in additives to make it even less porous for those jobs. For sunken basements they paint it with special pai...

AlecK

Agree they are n/c contacts. But (being pedantic) when test button is pressed, they will not be opening, but closing (else the E-lights would be switched 'off" instead of "on") The convention for schematic drawings is that "normal" means de-energised; rather than whatever state may be perceived as n...

AlecK

There is currently no requirement for "3112" sockets to have shutters. I believe there are specifications that must be met IF shutters are provided. It's not an NZ vs Oz thing; it's a safety-conscious vs cheapest product thing. There was a move some time ago to try to mandate use of shutters (or equ...

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